Asserts that education cannot be limited to the confines of a textbook but must be a true window to the world. Argues that this can be achieved through curriculum and thematic teaching. Provides suggestions for designing and teaching integrated, thematic units. (CFR)

Examines equipment and training necessary to integrate computer databases into the elementary social studies classroom. Develops a basic plan for teaching about geographic regions that uses seven class sessions for computer database introduction. Finds teacher preparation is critical for student success. Concludes that students gained experience…

Describes a course designed to improve interpersonal skills for students in instructional development that was developed at Syracuse University. Highlights include course goals; class requirements, including student journals; course content and structure, including activities to develop skills in verbal and nonverbal communication and…

Cites research studies of elementary and secondary public schools that indicate that teacher-librarians need additional education and training in social interaction skills to meet the needs of cooperative program planning and teaching as an instructional development activity. The necessity for communication between teachers and teacher-librarians…

Describes a method of evaluation referred to as Instructional Product Verification and Revision (IPVR) and explains its use in developing a library instruction program at Utah State University. The use of HyperCard in Project FORE (Focus on Research and Evaluation) is discussed, and future plans are considered. (10 references) (LRW)

Reports case studies which evaluated the effectiveness and quality of several Open University (OU) computer-based courses. The case studies are used to draw out lessons about how to conduct evaluations and provide some conclusions about how learning can be promoted using computer-based teaching. (Author/AEF)

Describes the design and development of Internet-based instruction for a physiological psychology class. Discusses reasons for selecting the Internet-based form; tools needed to create the instructional materials; development and implementation of the Psychology Electronic Teaching Source (PETS) site; instructional delivery; feedback; and benefits…

Reports on a study of 90 15- to 16-year-old female pupils who were asked to select their preferred format of a single-sheet handout on study skills that was offered in three modes: unstructured-verbal, structured-verbal, and structured-pictorial. Discusses the findings in terms of practical implications for instruction. (MJP)

Examines the effects of a prototype of motivationally-adaptive computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Findings indicate CAI can be designed to be motivationally adaptive to respond to changes in learner motivation that may occur over time. Results also illustrate that the ARCS (attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction) model can be useful and…

Reports three activities undertaken with students enrolled in a Master of International Business Studies in Britain and how each contributed to students' success or otherwise: use of a CD-ROM in development of academic English language skills; identification of students' reflections influencing their success as research students; and use of focus…

A study investigated models of faculty instructional support offered in universities in Victoria (Australia), including support unit location, sources of funding, nature of the support offered (for example, discipline-specific workshops, materials development, accredited courses, and study skills course components), student population receiving…

Examines the research dealing with integrating cooperative-learning strategies and computer-based instruction, and provides guidelines and strategies for designing Integrated Learning System (ILS) instruction that enhances opportunities for cooperative learning. (Author/AEF)

Discusses TopClass, a Web-based tool and delivery system used for online courses, and its use at Schoolcraft College in Michigan. TopClass offers many benefits, including a self-contained management system, secured access, user-friendly instructions for coursework area creation, e-mail, bulletin boards, a secured testing mechanism and student…

The Organized Career Orientation Course was written to help Bahraini secondary school leavers prepare for the job market by equipping them with relevant language skills such as note taking and report writing. The strong point of the course is the multi-media input and the fact that it is student-centered. Two learning methods were piloted. Results…

Discusses categories of common approaches K-12 and higher education faculty members take to adapt their courses for distance delivery. Describes the "dive-in technique," the "chunking approach," and the "start-from-scratch" approach. These different approaches to the problem of distance education illustrate that there are a variety of ways to be…